The Swamp

Since Gainesville is the closest city to the RV park, we found ourselves there often for groceries and even a movie.  So on one visit we decided to get back to volksmarching and signed up for a walk.  We like to walk through universities and this one fit the bill.

The University of Florida (Gators) is a public research university and a senior member of the State University System of Florida. It traces its origins to 1853 and has operated continuously on the Gainesville campus since September, 1906.

The first semester in Gainesville began with an enrollment of 102 students.  Two buildings had been completed at the time: Buckman Hall, named after the primary author of the law that created the university and Thomas Hall, named after the mayor of Gainesville who had led the successful effort to bring the school to town.

We especially like seeing stadiums, particularly football stadiums, and this was right on the route.

According, to the Gainesville Sun on June 9, 1992, the Florida football vernacular was changed forever when Steve Spurrier, who had been the Gators coach for the previous two seasons, said that "The 'Swamp' was a place where only Gators get out alive.  It had been seven months since the Gators ended their 1991 regular season by defeating Kentucky to finish unbeaten in the Southeastern Conference and won the first league title in school history.  They followed that with a thrilling 14-9 defeat of No. 3 Florida State that marked the first win over the rival Seminoles in six years.  It also gave Florida a perfect 12-0 record at Florida Field in Spurrier's first two seasons.  

The Florida home field (and its crowd) had taken on an identify all its own and Spurrier felt it was time to give the place a nickname.  "The 'Swamp' is where Gators live," Spurrier said.  "We feel comfortable there, but we hope our opponents feel tentative.  A swamp is hot and sticky and can be dangerous.  We feel this is an appropriate nickname for our stadium."

However, The "Swamp" initially would be used in a limited capacity, with no plans for posters, bumper stickers or a marketing theme.  Instead it was a Spurrier thing, and it quickly became a thing because he felt so strongly about it.

He had elevated Florida football from mediocrity to national prominence overnight those initial two seasons.  Along the way, Spurrier always credited the rabid, racket-making UF home crowds for the Gator's blowout performances.  Spurrier, along with then UF Communications Director and resident historian Norm Carlson, did some homework on this.  In 1930, UF President John J. Tigert selected the location for the school's football stadium and described the area as a "swampy depression."  The school hired engineers to drain the area and install pipes that funneled water down the hill along North-South Drive and dumped it into what is now known as Graham Pond.  So the field, in essence, was built on a swamp 60 years before it became the "Swamp".

It was for the Orange & Blue Game in 1992 that Spurrier first had a fiberglass Gator head, donated by a local company that built museum exhibits, placed in the south end zone hallway.  He had the UF players rub the creature's head as they ran onto the field.  Into the "Swamp".

The Gators went unbeaten at home in 1992 and did not lose a game in the "Swamp" - Spurriers first 23 there - until Florida State's Charlie Ward clinched his Heisman Trophy in the regular season finale of 1993.  

All told, Spurrier's teams went 68-5 at home during his 12 seasons.

It was fun to see The Swamp and learn more about the honors that were bestowed on some of the players.

And the statues commemorating their awards.

Some interesting stats about the sports teams.  In their history, the university's varsity sports teams have won 45 national championships, 40 of which are NCAA titles, and Florida athletes have won 275 individual national championships.  In addition, as of 2021, University of Florida students and alumni have won 143 Olympic medals, including 69 gold medals.

What a mascot!

It was a fun day and the next time I see the Gators playing, I'll pay closer attention.